According to data collected by FeedingAmerica.org, 16.4% of Carlisle County residents are food insecure.  Comparatively, this is higher than the national percentage of 14.0.  The effects of COVID-19 on the community only drive those numbers upward, due to job loss and food accessibility.  In an attempt to combat these statistics and get food onto the plates of their residents, the Carlisle County FCS Extension & Extension Homemakers joined forces with the Carlisle County Family Resource Center (FRYSC) to sponsor Free Community Pantry Boxes in communities across the county.  

Through community fundraising, donated services and program funds, the organizations were able provide the county with two pantry cabinets large enough to house food and sanitary items and present them to local townships of Bardwell and Arlington, the two most populated areas of the county.  Boxes were placed in easily accessible areas and stocked with non-perishable food and sanitary items, with encouragement to the communities to keep the boxes stocked for those in need.  It is the hopes of those involved to continue the project and add more boxes to county communities.